Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen answers questions from the media after the team's NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Englewood, Colo. The Broncos are scheduled to play the New England Patriots in an AFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 14 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

Denver Broncos players, coaches, and staff react to the news that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who played a huge part in the Broncos’ 2011 turnaround, has left to become the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Cornerback Champ Bailey —

“To be selfish, I want him to be here because I want that stability,” Champ Bailey said last week, when Allen was interviewing for a different head coaching opportunity. After hearing the news yesterday, Bailey simply praised his former coach.

“He knew how to get us ready,” Champ Bailey told the NFL Network. “I give him a lot of credit for the success we had this year… He’s one of the most intense coaches I’ve had.”

Linebacker Von Miller –

“They’re getting a guy that’s going to come in right away, and he’s going to get it done,” Von Miller told NFL Network. “That’s what he did for us. He came in, he laid out a plan for us, he told us, ‘This is how we’re going to do it, and this will work,’ and that’s what happened. We improved our defense an incredible amount… I think he’ll do the same thing with the Oakland Raiders.”

Linebacker Robert Ayers – Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Denver Broncos have a storied history with the Number Seven. They were hoping their defensive coordinator position wouldn’t continue the trend. They were wrong.

Seven defensive coordinators in seven years. The Broncos will hire their seventh defensive coordinator in as many years following the news that Dennis Allen has been offered and has accepted the position as head coach for the Oakland Raiders.

Allen is the first Denver Broncos assistant to be hired as head coach by their AFC West rivals since Mike Shanahan became Raiders coach in 1988.

For the Broncos, it means that the search has begun for Allen’s replacement. John Fox and company are in Mobile at the Senior Bowl practices (Allen too), so they may wait until they return to begin the coaching search in earnest. Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith (former defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans) and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio, who was a defensive coordinator under Fox in Carolina, are thought to be frontrunners.

Very disappointed to see Allen leave to the hated Raiders. Look at that picture, Broncos fans — that face is no longer the face of our defensive leader. That’s the face of Enemy #1.

Back in the day, a combination of Floyd Little and Tim Tebow may have taken the Broncos to several Super Bowls. (Images courtesy of Getty)

Over the next few days, ESPN will be rolling out their Any Era Team, consisting of twenty players that Pro Football Hall of Famers think could have played in any era of the National Football League.  Ranking at number nineteen on the list is Denver Broncos second-year quarterback Tim Tebow.

“It’s funny. It was debated hotly for the past few months whether or not the option-running Tebow could actually fit in this era. Yet, according to the Hall of Famers, Tebow could play in any era in NFL history partly because of his toughness and aggressive playing style,” wrote ESPN blogger Bill Williamson.

One of the players that voted for Tebow to be recognized was former Broncos running back Floyd Little, who was enshrined into the HOF two years ago.  According to Little, Tebow is the type of player that could play any position asked of him.

“He might not be the greatest quarterback, but he could play at any position you want him to play at. He’s a guy I’d like to play with if I was still playing. He’s a winner, he’s mobile, strong, and gets the job done regardless, whether he’s blocking, throwing, running or just fooling you,” said Little.

Tebow was praised highly by Little, who recorded nearly 9,000 yards from scrimmage while scoring over 50 touchdowns in 117 career games with the Broncos from 1967-to-1975.    

“He finds a way to win and people need to recognize that. A “W” is a “W” and it doesn’t matter how you get it, if you win ugly it’s still a “W.” Mechanics don’t play the game, people do.”

The Denver Broncos may be searching for a seventh defensive coordinator in seven years after all. Tweets Adam Schefter:

Raiders have identified Broncos DC Dennis Allen as the leading candidate to become their next HC. Raiders told other candidates they’re out.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2012

It is interesting, though, that the Raiders made Dennis Allen a “leading candidate” but didn’t hire him outright. Does the search continue in Oakland, or could Allen be currently mulling a job offer from the Broncos’ AFC West rivals?

Former head coach of the Denver Broncos Josh McDaniels talks with Tim Tebow #15 during a team training session at The Brit Oval on October 29, 2010 in London, England. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images Europe)

Over a year ago, Broncos fans celebrated like they were liberated from a maniacal dictator when Pat Bowlen relieved Josh McDaniels of his coaching duties with the Denver Broncos.  The dark ages had finally ended, and though everyone knew the sun would rise again albeit at a very slow pace.

Then came the 2011 season.

In a year where the Broncos were expected to win no more than five or six games, the team finished 8-8 in the regular season, won the AFC West and advanced to the divisional round before being blown out by the New England Patriots 45-10 in Foxboro.

Take a look at the wild card win over the Steelers.  The two players who made the play of the game? Quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas—Josh McDaniels’ final two first round draft picks.

Yes, THAT Josh McDaniels.

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The Denver Broncos, along with 29 other teams in the NFL not competing in Super Bowl XLVI, have entered full-scale scouting mode starting today. Before the Combine, and before free agency begin in March, and before the draft in April, there is the Senior Bowl, setting the premiere college seniors from the North and South against each other for the scouting, analysis, and nitpicking of professional scouts. Miss a block here and your draft stock may drop two rounds. Throw a pair of interceptions here and you’ll be off half the teams’ boards come April.

No pressure.

The Broncos arrived in Mobile, Alab., the site of the Senior Bowl, and are gameplanning. Tweets Executive VP of Football Operations John Elway:

Just arrived in Mobile for Senior Bowl. Mtgs with our coaches & scouts set for today. Important part of draft prep begins.

— John Elway (@johnelway) January 23, 2012

Meanwhile, Andrew Mason of MaxDenver.com is also at Mobile and has already previewed a trifecta of players from the North and South teams each. Among his South Team “Names to Watch” for the Broncos is CB Janoris Jenkins of Northern Alabama. Among his North Team Names: Washington RB Chris Polk.

The Broncos handpicked two starting defenders from the Senior Bowl last year; we’ll be following the practice reports closely all week. Who’s on your early Broncos draft wish list, or who are you watching closely?

Broncos’ veteran safety Brian Dawkins was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl on Thursday, replacing Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu for the AFC squad.  Originally named a first alternate in December, Dawkins will make the ninth Pro Bowl appearance of his career.

Dawkins will join cornerback Champ Bailey, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller, running back Willis McGahee and left tackle Ryan Clady as the six players representing the Broncos in the NFL’s annual All-Star Game.  The sextet is the most players Denver has sent to Hawaii since 2001.  Full press release after the jump.

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Vince Wilfork #75 and Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots sack Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

The last game of Tim Tebow‘s 2011 campaign didn’t end the way the quarterback would like. It didn’t progress very comfortably either.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Tebow suffered rib, lung, and chest injuries early in the second half that nearly sidelined Tebow for the game, which explains why Brady Quinn was seen warming up on the sideline late in the game. Tebow fought through “considerable pain” and took every snap for the Denver Broncos as he and his teammates fell 45-10 to the New England Patriots and out of the playoffs.

Tebow should be ready for the Broncos’ offseason training program, according to the report.

Source: Tim Tebow played through pain [ESPN]

• 

  Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has drawn interest from several teams since the regular season ended. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)

  There is a good chance that Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy will become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins.  [@AdamSchefter]

• Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders have asked–and were given permission–to interview both McCoy and Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for their vacant head coaching position.  [Denver Post]

• “It’s very complimentary to this organization that both Dennis Allen and Mike McCoy are being interviewed by other teams,” Broncos Head Coach John Fox said on Monday.   “It says a lot about what this organization has accomplished.”  [MaxDenver]

• Broncos strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten will not return for the 2012 season.  [SB Nation]

• Two possible candidates to replace Tuten are Jerry Simmons and Loren Landow.  [@MaxBroncos + @jonmark93]

• The Broncos have promoted Matt Russell to director of player personnel and named Brian Stark West Coast scout.  [Official Site]